Pwp Support Worker - Nanaimo, Canada - AVI Health & Community Services

AVI Health & Community Services

Verified Company

Nanaimo, Canada

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

AVI Health Centre is a Community Health Centre in Nanaimo. We provide Primary Care, HIV, Substance Use, STBBI, PrEP, PEP, and HCV medical services, as well as outreach, supports, and social programming for our clients. We also provide education services for the communities we support and for health and social services students and professionals that work with the same communities. Our Health Centre is located on the Snuneymuxw territories.

Join our supportive, dedicated and client-centred team in promoting the health, dignity and well-being of all people affected by HIV, HCV and substance use by delivering sex-positive and harm reduction-based education, prevention and/or support services.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Positive Wellness Support Worker is responsible for client specific case management and the provision and delivery of direct services to persons living with HIV and/or HCV.

The Positive Wellness Support Worker will report to the Community Health Centre Director.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Actively engages with individuals who are living with, or at risk for, HIV and/or HCV, using a collaborative, personcentered approach grounded in harm reduction.
Uses brief assessment, active listening and crisis response skills to help meet immediate, basic needs and make appropriate referrals to other health and support services.
Advocates on behalf of clients with various Ministries and agencies to ensure clients receive maximum information and support.
Provides advocacy to clients by working with them on issues such as housing, medical, legal and other support agencies.
Provides intake and assessment, brief counseling, crisis counseling, harm reduction counseling, advocacy, and referral.
Conducts individual or group information sessions, and develops educational materials to meet clients' needs, as required.
Provides onsite supervision and support for clients, and continues to develop programming for the resource room.
Provides information to other service providers, such as government and communitybased agencies, medical and educational settings on HIV/AIDS and its effect on the provision of services.
Works in collaboration with partner agencies to provide a continuum of services.
Maintains both paper and electronic confidential client files.
Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

University degree in health or social services (Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Support Worker, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum of two years' relevant work experience and will demonstrate the following minimum requirements
Valid Class 5 BC Driver's License.
Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of harm reduction principles and practices.
Demonstrated ability to establish rapport, provide support and advocate for a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges.
Direct service delivery and advocacy experience with communitybased and provincial support services and systems (financial aid, housing, healthcare, justice system, etc.).
Understanding of the impact on individual health and wellbeing, as well as the considerations for service delivery related to systemic barriers associated with poverty, mental health, substance use, trauma, racism, ongoing colonialism, heterosexism, and gender discrimination.
Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of harm reduction/health promotion practices, safer using practices, HIV, HCV, poverty issues, mental health concerns and substance use.
Demonstrated knowledge of social justice, health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and health care.
Experience managing challenging behavior, utilizing nonviolent communication, and diffusing techniques.
Ability to problem solve with creativity, flexibility, assertiveness and a cool head in dealing with complex issues.
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrated commitment to working within a collaborative team approach.
Demonstrated time management and personal organization skills to effectively support a high volume of client work.
To comply with current BC Public Health Orders, must be fully vaccinated for COVID19 or have an approved medical exemption. Proof of vaccination status will be required for successful applicants for positions covered by the order.